Ride report: Sunday 22 July – dry and dusty
It’s been a while since I penned a ride report; mainly because my MTB mileage has dropped a bit recently, partly through ill-considered drinks choices on Saturday night and partly thtough a leaking rear tyre/rim on my Five’s tubeless set up.
This Sunday though, I was determined to ride.
As a result, I forced myself to stop drinking alcohol at a potentially hangover inducing BBQ by 7:00 in the evening and came prepared for the ride with a spare inner tube and plenty of tools, including a pair of pliers just in case the ‘final solution’ of an inner tube in the rear tyre needed me to remove the tubeless Stan’s valve at some point. I just had that kind of hunch that it might be needed.
Reaching Bockett’s Farm without needing to re-air the tyre was a good first step after last time out, when I’d had to abandon the ride after a couple of miles and four goes at getting the tyre to hold air. Several of our regular riders were elsewhere today (Dandy and Andy at the QECP Enduro, Tony et famile at Swinley, Karl was scouting for gnarr, Lloyd on vacation) so just seven of us set out for a Newlands classic ride – Big Al, Julian the German, DaveC, Kev, Rich and Jez, who arrived at the last moment having suffered a nasty wasp sting to the throat (must be a ninja wasp going for the jugular) en route.
Having established that nothing was swelling above or below the wound and that there were no signs of an allergic reaction we set off, comforted by the fact that Kev had an anti-septic wipe should anything really bad happen. We’re that prepared.
Summer, dry trails and reasonably fit riders inevitably leads to a brisk pace and clouds of dust marking our progress. With no signs of problems from my tyre we headed up to Polesdon and were just about to head to the Yew Trees when Dave cried Pamplona! from the back, so Kev and I quickly diverted toward Hogden Lane. A dusty descent followed, and then the fast spin up Pamplona to rejoin the Yew tress climb. This time of year it’s only the gradient you need to wory about as the mud – which usually stops us riding this – mercifully absent.
Settling into a quick spin up to Ranmore it felt like my recent road riding was paying off although I’m a long way from being fully fit. But at least I could hold a conversation with Al and Kev as we rode up.
From Ranmore we headed to badger Run and then Collarbone, our progress halted briefly when Dave broke his chain just in front of fellow Mole Jo who was walking her dog! Perfect timing! After a trailside repair from my tiny-box-of-bits(TM) we pushed on to catch the others and then pointed our bikes in the direction of Abba Zabba.
With Al opting for the Abba Zabba roll-in, the rest of us headed round the usual chicken runs, the compact group allowing us to keep a nice flowy pace through the complex, including Dave, Kev and myself (and possibly Al) all choosing the huge Blind Terror 2 roll-in by the oak tree, following by the massive roll-in to the road. Cutting across the road, the Rooty Woods supplied more entertainment, the kind that only these super dry conditions can provide, with loads of grip and plenty of line choices over the myriad of roots.
Next was Abinger Roughs, and again there was plenty of fast progress through the woods as we got into a steady groove, sweeping through dry and dusty turns on familiar trails with still no sign of problems from my rear tyre. We crossed the A25 at Gomshall and headed on, the greensand geology on this side of the hills that provides such a great base for Holmbury and Leith riding here resulting in deep energy-sapping drifts of sand and dust on the well-used bridlepaths.
Before we knew it we were at the start of the Water Lane climb up to Newlands Corner and we all settled down for the long climb. I played my joker at this point as my rear tyre finally deciding it had had enough. Despite an attempt to reinflate, Dave and I soon realised it was time to instigate the inner tube option which the others pressed on to the cafe (with Kev posting an impressively fast time). A straightforward switch to old skool technology was enacted with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of leisure (with those pliers coming in handy as expected) but eventually we joined the group for coffee and eccles cake at the top.
I’d been expecting us to head back via the North Downs Way but we were so early (thanks to the fast riding) that it seemed we had plenty of time for a detour. Not wanting to commit ourselves to a ride across the Effingham fields, nonetheless we decided to at least take in Lovely Linda on the Lovelace estate so after tramping quickly along the NDW we turned off for the Crocknorth Road.
Al lead Dave and Julian down with me just behind but it soon became clear that while the trail was dry and fast, it had changed a little from my last visit, with evidence of a big wheeled forestry machine having flattened and widened the trail. One wheel track comprised the old Lovely Linda singletrack and despite being wider than before I reined myself in a bit, not knowing what might be round the corner.
It’s probably – ultimately – a faster trail now, but the tyre tracks have put some deep indentations into the trail and there’s a couple of places where fallen logs have left sharp steps or jumps. While this sounds great, they are quite abrupt and potentially you could find yourself disappearing off the trail as you can travel a bit of distance and the trail twists and turns a bit. So caution if you’re not familiar with the route I think! I concentrated sucking up the obstacles but definitely lost time to the riders in front.
At the bottom we turned toward Honeysuckle Bottom, past the Fat Controller’s house and then took the unusual decision to climb back up onto the ridge. Knowing how quickly you can come down here I was expecting a bit of a slog, but it proved to be quite manageable provided you paced yourself and at no point was it difficult. In fact, before we knew it we were back up on Ranmore and heading along the Drover’s Road.
We detoured a bit and managed to pick up Collarbone for the run back to Ranmore but came across a nasty scene with a rider down, surrounded by paramedics and concerned friends. He was clearly in a lot of pain, on gas and air, and I really hope he is OK. It looked like the paramedics were getting ready to move him via an uncomfortable looking six wheeled off road buggy which must have been a real ordeal for him.
The worst part for me was it was in the exact same spot as my accident when I smashed my collarbone a few years back and was probably caused by a similar train of events, with the trail drifting you ever closer to the trees on the downslope of the ridge. It brought back to mind that this isn’t a trail to be hammering fast, despite looking like you can – there’s so little margin for error, something I only realised in hindsight. It was quite spooky to see someone else come to grief in exactly the same spot. My thoughts are with him for his recovery.
With little that we could do but get in the way we left it to the experts and continued on our way, but it made me feel quite sombre, and reflective that I was rather lucky to only suffer a broken collarbone. Our path was leading us to the final descent of the day, Golden Nugget which is a blast to ride but also requires some respect. The tricky bit is the off-camber middle section which wet or dry is trying to steer you off-piste.
After that we parted from Jez (heading back to Westhumble and then Dorking) while the restof us hauled ourselves through the Polesdon estate and finally back to Bockett’s as the heat of the day started to assert itself. My total for the ride was 32 miles door-to-door which was about seven miles more than I’d anticipated but brought my weekly mileage up to 136 miles for the week (albeit mainly road miles). At this rate I might start to feel fit for a change!
About the author
Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.
Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.
An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.
If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.
There are 17 comments on ‘Ride report: Sunday 22 July – dry and dusty’
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Dandy says:
Sounds like you guys had a great day out, too. Here’s hoping the fallen rider on Collarbone makes a full recovery. Results for the QECP Enduro should be out tomorrow, so will post the ride report when they’re available – but don’t expect to see us on the podium 🙁
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Posted on July 22, 2013 at 10:09 am
Big al says:
Great Fun , I’m loving this weather . No mud super fast trails , it’s Strava Heaven !!!!,
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Posted on July 22, 2013 at 11:28 am
tony says:
It is brilliant weather. We did a couple of trails this morning that I have mentally avoided all year due to them being mud-pits. All are dried out nicely. The only issue with this weather is that the hard impact points – trees and rocks – come at you faster.
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Posted on July 22, 2013 at 11:51 am
Ant says:
I think I saw you guys coming down to the road from the crossroards on ranmore. I was coming up from the road towards Newlands…
Crash looked nasty. I followed the 6 wheeler for a bit, accompanied by 5 or 6 ambulance staff on foot, until there was an opportunity to overtake.
Got me thinking. Out on my own, and had forgotten my phone… Not so clever!
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Posted on July 22, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Matt says:
Hi Ant, thanks for the comment, yes that would have been us that you saw.
I can’t imagine that six wheeler would have been too comfortable but not many options really. Feel sorry for everyone involved (injured bloke, friends, family), spoils a great days’ riding.
Always welcome to join us if you want riding company.
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Posted on July 23, 2013 at 7:34 am
KevS says:
Great ride report Matt and a superb hot n dusty pacey ride in good company.
Not only did I have an antiseptic wipe in my first aid kit but also carry a leatherman tool with a huge knife and pair of pliers. Sadly, before I was able to apply either of them to Jez’s neck, Big Al volunteered to remove the sting, fortunately with his fingernails and not as we all feared by sucking it out!
Probably not the first time that sort of thing has been seen at Bocketts car park i guess but usually only after dark!
Really enjoyed the Newlands Classic blast with the extra bits of Gnar as well, but seeing the MTB’r accident on the way home sure makes you think about what we do for fun.
Lets all stay safe.
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Posted on July 22, 2013 at 1:45 pm
stevend says:
Having recently been stung by a bee (just a few mm below the eye, and yes I was wearing glasses) I have temporarily added Anthisan cream to my backpack. Fortunately for myself I was near a village and got immediate help (cream and antihistamine pills) but even then it took a few days for the swelling to go down.
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Posted on July 23, 2013 at 8:53 am
Karl says:
Glad you had a great ride at a great rate, and glad I did not go, as you would have killed me.
Sorry to hear about the man down.. Hope he is okay.
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Posted on July 22, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Dave says:
It started out as a huge effort for me, feeling very tired from the 60 odd road miles I’d put in earlier in the week at some speed. When I turned up on Thursday and saw Tony was with us again I knew I was going to suffer. Joking apart though the road does condition your legs for long term performance and on the climbs yesterday I only faded on a couple and them much later that I might have. Allez allez!
The pace was strong yesterday but the riders were up for it. As I said to Julian, our XC rides usually have a little gnarr thrown in. The whole AZ complex ridden at speed with me following Al down BT2 before crossing the road to the second complex were just amazing yesterday although I think I’d rather have been on the Gyro than the Spearfish. Still good though.
Linda, what a dream she was, although the bi’atch did go for a slap where some kickers were, possibly left from the forestry work.
Anyway, all good, less good was my shower being interrupted but hollering from Cathie that the cat was about to pounce on a very large and then unidentified snake that was on our lawn. It turned out to be a very large grass snake who was no threat to the cat and probably rather scared!
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Posted on July 22, 2013 at 6:51 pm
Dandy says:
Do you seriously expect us to pass on the opportunity to weave double entendres around the comment, “my shower being interrupted but hollering from Cathie that the cat was about to pounce on a very large and then unidentified snake that was on our lawn”?
I thought not … so try shutting the window next time you take a shower, big boy 🙂
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Posted on July 22, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Dave says:
Tenner as normal?
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Posted on July 22, 2013 at 9:23 pm
Markymark says:
Sounds like a great ride chaps and after a Swinley evening blast last week i’m looking forward to Surrey’s finest trails. The new-born and family commitments are making it tricky to link in with you guys but i’m working on it! 🙂
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Posted on July 23, 2013 at 10:33 am
little big mouth says:
Sounds like you guys had a great time. I woke up thinking I was going to come, then realised I was still to drunk to drive and went back to bed. Shame I wanted to take out the Camber Comp and see how its handled around there.
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Posted on July 24, 2013 at 8:31 pm
KevS says:
LBM. Do we need to talk?
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Posted on July 24, 2013 at 8:49 pm
little big mouth says:
Kev, I’m in my twenties, that is how we roll- although you may struggle to remember that far back 😉
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Posted on July 25, 2013 at 12:24 pm
KevS says:
Wounded! 🙁
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Posted on July 25, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Matt says:
Oooh LBM that’s cheeky!
Of course I have to refer you to my ride report where I mention I had to stop drinking the night before to ensure I could enjoy Sunday’s ride… after recent bitter experience. With age comes wisdom (and a risk of incontinence, probably)
Bet you had more fun than we did though…
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Posted on July 25, 2013 at 2:46 pm